Optical reader device, tag for use on a disposable or replaceable component, optical data validation system and method for optical data validation

Abstract

The presented principles relate to an optical reader device, to a tag for use on a disposable or replaceable component, to an optical data validation system and to a method for optical data validation. The optical reader device comprises a sensor unit and a signal processing unit. In particular, the sensor unit comprises a light source and an optical sensor arrangement. The light source comprises at least one light emitting component and is arranged for emitting light. The optical sensor arrangement is arranged for generating a first sensor signal indicative of light emitted from the light source and reflected back from a code marking of a tag to be placed in front of the light source in a determined distance. The optical sensor is further arranged for generating a second sensor signal indicative of light emitted by a photo-responsive taggant of the tag after being excited by the light emitted from the light source. The signal processing unit comprises a signal processing unit being arranged to process the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 252,030, filed Nov. 6, 2015, and claims priority to European Patent Application No. 15198476.2 filed on Dec. 8, 2015, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.[0002]An aspect of the invention relates to an optical reader device, another to a tag for use on a disposable or replaceable component, and another to an optical genuine article validation and optical discrimination system and to a method for optical genuine article validation and optical discrimination.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Product labeling is used in many fields to gain quick and reliable access to various information related to a product. Information includes content and composition of products, and details on a particular aspect of the product to name but a few. Product labeling can support managing automated or semi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a way to use a small and affordable optical reader device to track and validate data. Code markings are placed close to the reader device to establish a certain distance and generate a calibrated signal intensity. This technology provides a cost-effective solution for combining encoded data and taggant validation in a single product. The small footprint of the code marking and the reader device make it easy to implement and read using low-cost components.

Problems solved by technology

Cost and complexity are often compounded by the need of a dedicated reader to decode data encoded in the respective code marking.

Such data validation systems can only be used with a particular code marking scheme and both labeling and hardware can be costly.

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